Drum closing tool



Jam 2, 1962 C. RAGETTLI 3,015,291

DRUM CLOSING TOOL Filed March l0, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 280` 302 f 38 28 39 30| Z8 Z `5o 34- 2. 44 44 Jr 2&2 4 ab l?. )8 I9 n ,s (le fn I7 ,4 4| 4 l l I9 I9 2o INvENToR '9 20 CHsznsTmN RAGETTLI- 51 (dan, gnvv, M40/#1% ATT YS.

Jan. 2, 1962 c. RAGETTLI DRUM CLOSING TooL.

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Jan. 2, 1962 c; RAGETTLI 3,015,291

DRUM CLOSING TOOL Filed March 10, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 5o 3o I 280. l 3 30g. 0

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W I9 f v ,1 Il \I INVENTOR CHrzlsTvAN RAGETTU United States Patent O 3,015,291 DRUM CLDSING TOOL Christian Ragettli, Chicago, Ill., assignor to G rotnes Machine Works, Inc., Chicago, Ill., a corporanon of Illinois Filed Mar. 10, 1958, Ser. No. 729,366 6 Claims. (Cl. 113-18) Exemplary forms of prior devices of this general type are disclosed and claimed in Grotnes Patent No.v 2,017,- 495 and in the copending patent application of Charles M. Stearns, Jr., Serial No. 481,129 tiled January 1l,

1955, now Patent Number 2,822,774, granted February 1l, 1958. These devices include a plurality of lever-operated, spaced, crimping jaws which are arranged to circumferentially engage a can lid about the ilange that is for-med thereon and are adapted to be closed upon and pulled from engagement with the lid flange as a result of the movement of a pair of operating handles. The handles are pushed downwardly and apart to eiect the crimping of the lid ange upon the can, andthe handles are raised or brought together to release the jaws from the Vsealed lid and can. of the can and used successively to apply lids to a number of cans.

The can closing toolV forming the subject matter of the aforementioned application was developed in recognition of the fact that tired or careless tool operators might not push the handles of prior devices home so that the lid ange was not crimped into rm sealing engagement with the can bead. Thus the device of the application was constructed and arranged to positively assure that the crimpingjaws were fully closed during each operation.

Prior devices have been constructed and arranged to the end that movement of the handles through/their -full range had to obtain to effect full range of movement of the crimping jaws from open to closed positions. It will be recognized that the maximum effort is required in the nal few degrees of movement of the jaws because it is in that short portion of their range of movement, the lid ange having already been bent against the can bead, wherein they must crimp the ilange so as to draw the lid tight. lt also will be seen that the handles of the prior devices are spread wide apart at this time Y thus making it difhcult for the tool operator to apply the needed force to effect nal jaw movement. This is true because his arms -too -must be widespread. This becomes a serious problem with large drums and with lids'formed of relatively heavy gauge material.

It is an object of the present invention to obviate this diiiiculty through the provision of a new and improved drum closing tool which is not only easier to use but which in addition positively assures full closure of the crimping jaws in each closing and sealing operation.

it is a more speciiic object to provide a drum closing tool having crimping jaws which are movable between open and closed positions by means of handle operated linkage wherein the full range ofl jaw movement obtains as a result of successive handle movements.

A further and related object is to provide for the movement of the crimping jaws of a drum closing tool from open to closed position by successive strokes of the handles of an improved handle-operated, multiple toggle The tool can then be lifted free s 3,015,291 Patented Jan. 2, 1962 ICC linkage which strokes are relatively short ranged as a result of a change of fulcrum location between strokes so as to obviate need for wide spreading of the operators arms, and which requires full range of jaw movement before the tool can be removed from the lid and drum.

The objects of the invention thus generally set forth together with objects and ancillary advantages are attained by the construction and arrangement shown by way of illustration in the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary section view, taken in a generally central vertical plane, of a drum closing tool embodying the features of the present invention and illustrating relative positions of the parts asa closing operation is begun.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary transverse section taken generally in the plane of line 2-2 in FIGURE 1.

FIG. 3 is similar to lFlG. 1 ybut illustrates relative component positions after the first closing stroke has been taken and the device is being conditioned for a succeeding closing stroke.

FIG. 4 is similar to FIG. 1 but is illustrative of relative component positions during a succeeding closing stroke.

FIG. 5 is similar to FIGS. l and 4 but is illustrative of relative component relationship at the comple-tion of the closing operation.

FIG. 6 is similar to FIGS. 1, 3, 4 and 5, but is illustrative of relative component relationship after comple- -tion of a closing operation and during removal of the illustrative tool from a drum.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentaryelevational view partly in section of the upper portion of the device illustrated in the preceding iigures.

While the invention has been shown and is described in considerable detail with reference to a particular embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that there is no intention that it thus be limited to such detail. On the contrary it is the intention here to cover all modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the exemplary drum closing tool, generally designa-ted 10, and constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, has been shown as employed in sealing a lid 11 upon a drum 12. The drum has at its upper edge a rolled or otherwise suitably formed bead 14 around which a deformable flange 15, which is integral with the lid, is to be crimped in sealing relation. Preferably the flange is serrated to facilitate this crimping deformation.

The tool 16 includes a base plate 16 which is adapted to rest upon the lid 11 after it has been placed upon the drum. The base plate 16 extends peripherally beyond the lidand drum and is provided with a series of circumferentially spaced pairs of ears 17 for pivotally supporting a plurality of similarly spaced crimping levers 18. The latter are mounted uponpinsV 19 which are -received in the ears 17 and each includes a depending or hooklike portion 20 constituting a jaw. yIt will be seen that the jaws 20 are disposedV to engage and clampthe .ilange 15 Yabout the drum bead 14 when rocked inwmdly. To prevent deformation of the drum 12 and of the lid 14, the base plate 16 is provided with an annular axially projecting shoulder 16a which serves as a backing or stationary die.

The base plate 16 may be of Weblike form or of ribbed form, for minimizing its weight Without sacrificing strength, and it includes a central hub 16b for the reception of a cylindrical standard or stud 22.

For imparting crimping movement to the levers 18, that is to open and close the crimping jaws 20, handles 24 are provided, and interposed between the handles and thereto.

Y the spring in place.

the levers 18 is a multiple toggle linkage. The multiple toggle linkage includes a link 25 for each one of the crimping levers 18. Each of the links 25 is pivotally connected to the inner end of one of the levers 18 and converges inwardly toward the standard or stud 22. At their inner ends the links 25 are pivotally connected to `a collar 26 which surrounds the stud. Interposed between each of the handles 24 and the collar 26 is a link 28. The links 28 are of arcuate form and are suitably apertured at each end for the reception of pivot pins 28a and 28b, respectively, by means of which the links 28 are attached to the handles 24 and to the inner collar 26. L Y

To fulcrum the handles a second collar 30 is provided vwhich surrounds the stud 22 outwardly of the collar 26,. This second collar is provided with diametrically disposed pairs of lugs 31 for the reception of pivot pins 32 by means of which the handles 24 are connected It will be noted that the handles 24 are so formed adjacent at their inner ends that the pivotpins 28a and 32 are spaced apart, thereby providing a lever arm which'is substantially shorter than the lever arm defined by the length of the handles so that when an operator of the device applies a force at the outer ends Yof the handles to move the same there exists a large mechanical advantage.

In order to lik the lower ends of the handles with re`- spect to the central standard 22 tothe end thatV outward movement of the handles about the pivots 32 imparts force to the multiple toggle linkage for effecting crimping movement of the levers 18 and jaws 20, the outer collar 30 includes means for gripping the standard 22. As shown this means includes an inner sleeve 34 for supporting a series of circumferentially spaced balls 36 for engagement with the central standard 22. The collar 30 is provided with an inwardly tapered bore 30a, and the sleeve 34 and the balls 36 are respectively dimensioned so that the balls project radially outward for engagement with the wall of the Vbore 30a to the end that the balls are wedged into engagement with the stud 22 upon relativelyl axial movement between the sleeve 34 and the collar 30. Means is provided for normally biasing this sleeve inwardly along the stud 22 with vrespect to the collar 30 so that the balls 34 are normallyy urged by the tapered bore wall 30a into engagement with the stud 22. In the illustrative device this means includes a tapered pin 38, the inner end of which the -action of an annular compression spring 39. The

annular spring 39 embraces the collar 30 and is received in al circumferential groove 30c'formed therein to hold The pinV 38 has a transverse notch 38a in its outer end, registeringwith the groove 30a, to receive the annular spring V39;

' It :will be apparent uponrreference to the drawings that upon outward movement of the handles 24, when anyresistance to such movement is offered V'by the toggle f llinkzrage andthe gripping'le'vers and jaws, there is an initial tendency for theV levers to pivot about the pins 28a, and therefis a .corresponding tendency toward an out- YWard movement ofY the Vextreme inner ends ofthehandlesy VV`24V and thus of Vthe pivot `pins 32. This initial tend- *ency' for movement insnch direction results in an even tighter wedging of the balls 36 against the central standard or stud 22 by the wallof therbore 30a of the VVcollar thereby insuring firm gripping of the Vstud V22. Asa

result the `collar 30 and thusY ,the .handle fulcrums as .Y defined by the pins 32 is lxed.V As the operator continues/movement apart of the handles, there results the application of force by way of the links 28 to( the collarV `26 to urge theesameV inwardly along the stud 22'and Ytoward the plate 16a. Thllsforce is imparted from 'the ,cpllar 26v to Vthe crimping levers 18 by' wayrof the links 'Y bears against "the innerY inclined surface of a V-groove f,

, formed peripherally in the sleeve 34. Thepin 38 is plate 16 until'the full range of movement vof the crimping levers 18 and jaws 20Uhas been attained. The purpose of this is to insure complete sealing of the lid llange 15 about the can bead 14 so that a tired or careless operator cannot remove the tool untilthe job is done. For this purpose the collar 26 has a tapered central bore 26a therein disposedwithin which is a sleeve 40. Thesleeve 40 servesV as a carrier for a series of circumferentially spaced gripping balls 42 which are adapted to engage the central stud 22 upon relative axial movement between the collar 26 and the sleeve 40. As with the outer collar and sleeve assembly 30-38, .the sleeve 40 is normally biased inwardly with respect to the'collar 26 by means of a cam pin 44 which is received in a radial bore 265 formed in the sleeve 26. The pinl 44 is urged inwardly by means of anyannularspring 45.A As shown, the spring 45 is received in a circumferential'groove 26e` and engages in a notch 44a formed transversely in the outer end of the cam pin 44. The innerV end of Vthe cam pin normally engages the inner inclined surface of a V-groove 40a formed peripherally about the sleeve 40. It will beseen that inward movement of the collar 26 along .the central stud 22 obtains when the'lhandles 24 are spread apart, and thus force is imparted to the collar 26 by way'of the links 28. The transmissionrof this force to the links 25, and thence to the levers 18is unimpeded for the'collar 26 is moved inwardly with respeetvto the sleeve 40 so that 'Wedging action of the bore'wall 26a upon the balls 4Z is relieved. However, whenrthe operator of the device moves the handles toward each other there tends to be an upward movement appliedY to the collar 26 by way ofthe links 28. Since the cam pin 44 under the action ofthe spring 45 normally urges the sleeve V40 downwardly, thus urging the balls against the tapered wall of the bore 26a, a slight outward movement of the collar 26 with respect to the sleeve 40 obtains which results in the wedging of the balls 42 into gripping engagement with Ythe `central stud 22 and the lower collar becomes fixed with respect to the stud. f

As the operator continues movement of the handles toward eachother, and since the collar 26 is held in place by the wedging of the balls 42 .against the stud 22, the plvot pins 28a become the fulcrum point for the handles 24- and the lower ends of the handles carrying the pivot pins 32 move inwardly Vto urge the outer collar 30 inwardly along the stud. Such inward movement YisV unimpeded by the gripping means incorporated within the outer collar for such inward movement of thecollar 30 tends to move the collar inwardly with respect to the Sleeve l34 so that theV balls 36 tend to be moved toward -Y a portion of the bore 30a which is'of larger diameter Y thereby relieving Wedging action thereon;

Assoon as the operator of the device again begins to move the handles apart the action heretofore set forthV isfrepeated. Thus, the outer collar becomes fixed with respect to the central standard 22 and further downward movement of theY collar 26Yobtains to the end that the crimpmg leversr18 and jaws 29 are ,swung further toward closed position .ofthe jaws. ,Several handle strokes may be imparted bythe Yoperator to the device in order to achieve'the `fully,.closed'positions of the crimping jaws.

Means isY provided which is operable as an incident to the achievement of the fully closed positions ofthe crimping jaws for disabling the gripping means 40-45 incorporated Vin the inner( collar 26 so'that when the operator subsequently moves ,the handles 24 toward each other, theV crimpingrle'vers `18 and jaws 20 are returned tofully opened condition whereby the tool can be lifted fromV the lid and drum. As shown in the illustrative device this disabling means includes a stop 48 on the central stud 22, the cam pin 44, and a second V-groove 40b formed in the sleeve 40. Ihe stop 48 is in the form of a pin which is disposed transversely of the stud 22 and is adapted for engagement by the inner end of the sleeve 40 as the same is moved inwardly along the stud 22 sufriciently far for the crimping levers and jaws to have attained their fully closed positions. lt will be recalled that the cam pin 44 normally engages the lower inclined surface of the V-groove 40a to urge the sleeve 40 inwardly with respect to the collar 26. When the collar 40 engages the stop 48, further inward movement of the collar 26, under the force applied to it by the links 28 from the handles 24, causes the pin 44 to be cammed outwardly in the passage 26b until the inner end of the pin 44 registers with the groove 40b into which it is then urged by the action thereon of its biasing spring 45. As a result the pin 44 engages the outer inclined surface of the V-groove 40b and urges the sleeve 40 axially outward with respect to the collar 26 carrying with it the balls 42 so that the balls are moved outwardly within the collar bore 26a where the bore is of larger diameter. Thus wedging action on the balls 42a is relieved. When this condition obtains upward movement by the operator upon the handles 24 linds no resistance or anchoring provided by the collar 26. Therefore, the collar 26 is moved upwardly into engagement with the lower end of the sleeve 34.

As this movement continues, the sleeve 34 is moved axially outward with respect to the collar 30, and the balls 36 are moved outwardly within the bore 30a to a place of larger diameter so that no wedging action of the balls 36 against the stud 22 obtains. Thus, with the gripping means of both the inner and outer collar assemblies being disabled movement of the handles together and outwardly away from the plate 16 results in the outward movement of the bore collar assemblies along the stud 22. This movement causes an inward swinging of the upper ends of the crimping levers 18 and an outward movement of the crimping jaws 20 to the fully open positions of the latter thereby releasing the tool from the lid and drum so that it can be lifted therefrom.

Means is provided for resetting the lower sleeve 40 so that the cam pin 44 again engages the outer V-groove 40a so that the sleeve 40 is again biased inwardly with respect to the collar 26 thereby reconditioning the tool for a subsequent crimping operation. As shown, this means includes a pin 50 which is mounted for limited longitudinal movement in a passage formed longitudinally in the outer sleeve 34. The pin 50 at its lower end is adapted to engage the outer end of the sleeve 40. The upper end of the pin 50 extends outwardly beyond the sleeve 34 for engagement with a stop 51 that is iixed to the outer end of the central stud 22 by means of a cap screw 52. Thus, at the end of the outward movement or the collar assemblies along the central stud 22 and the lifting of the tool from the lid and drum, the pin 50 is brought into engagement with the stop 51 and is urged inwardly with respect to the sleeve 34 so that its lower end presses inwardly upon the sleeve 40. When this occurs the outer inclined surface of the V-groove 4Gb forces the cam pin 44 outwardly, releasing the sleeve 40 f and forcing the same inwardly along the stud until the V-groove 40a registers with the inner end of the pin 40 whereby the annular biasing spring 45 urges the same into engagement with the inner inclined surface of the V- groove 4G51. Thus the gripping means that is associated with the lower collar 26 is reset so that the tool is reconditioned for subsequent operation.

From the foregoing itwill be seen that a drum closing tool constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention not only insures that firm sealing en-` gagement between a lid llange and a drum bead is attained before the tool can be removed from the drum, but

in addition provides for operation by successive, shortranged strokes of the handles of the device thereby obviatlng the need for awkward and tiring widespreading of the operators arms in manipulating the handles to effect full range of crimping jaw movement. 'Thus a drum closing tool so constructed is substantially easier to use. At the same time the instant construction and arrangement entails substantially no delicate or hard-to-form parts thereby permitting it to be economically made. The components will be seen to be rugged and this, together with their uncomplicated form, results in a long, trouble-free operating life.

I claim as my invention:

1. A drum closing tool having a circular base plate adapted to seat against the flanged lid of a drum and having a series of crimping levers pivotally mounted around its peripheral edge to swing from retracted positions to operated positions to crimp the lange of the lid to the drum, said tool having means operable manually for swinging the crimping levers step-by-step from retracted to operated positions comprising, in combination, a standard extending upwardly from the base plate, a rst collar mounted on and slidable axially of said standard, a second collar mounted on said standard between said rst collar and the base plate and slidable axially thereon, links pivotally connected between said second collar and the respective levers operative to yrock the levers toward operated positions as the collar moves toward the base plate and to retract the leversV as the collar moves away from the base plate, a pair of hand levers pivotally mounted on said first collar to swing from a generally upright retracted position outwardly and downwardly to an actuated position, a pair of links pivotally Vconnected tothe respective hand levers and to said second collar, standard gripping means for each collar normally allowing said collars to move toward the base plate while restraining them against movement away from the base plate thereby conditioning said lirst collar to define stationary fulcra for said hand levers to enable them to move said second collar toward the base plate when the levers are rocked from retracted to operated position and conditioning said second collar and the links of said pair to deiine stationary fulcra for said hand lever to enable them to move said lirst collar toward said base plate when the levers are rocked from the actuated to the retracted position, means operative in response to the movement of said collars through a predetermined range for releasing said gripping means to free the collars for return movement, and means operative in response to the return of the collars to retracted position for resetting the gripping means for a subsequent operation.

2. A drum closing tool as delined in claim l in which the gripping means for each collar comprises a sleeve interposed between the collar and the standard, a plurality of ballsisupported in said sleeve for movement toward and from the standard, and coacting surfaces on the collar operative to shift the balls inwardly against the standard in response to relative movement of the collar and sleeve in one direction.

3. A drum closing means as defined in claim l in which the gripping means for each collar comprises a sleeve slidable on the standard and seated in a tapered bore in the collar, said sleeve having radially directed openings with ball elements disposed therein adapted to be engaged by the bore wall and forced inwardly into clamping engagement with the standard in response to relative movement of the sleeve and collar to a predetermined position.

4. A drum closing tool comprising, in combination, a plate mounting an upright standard, a series of clamping jaws pivoted on the marginal edge portion of said plate for movement between open and closed positions, a first collar assembly mounted on said standard including means for gripping the standard normally operative to resist relative movement of the assembly along the standard away from said plate, a second collar assembly mounted o n said standard including means for grippingA thestandard normallyoperative to resist relative movementfalong the standard away from the plate, ay pair ofhandles pivoted on said second collar assembly to swing between retracted and operated positions, afirst set of toggle links positioned between ysaid clamping jaws and said iirst collar assembly and a second set of toggle links-interposed between said Vhandle and said first collar assembly, said second toggle links applying force in the movement'of said handles toward operated position to said'iirst collar assemblyffor moving the same along saidstandard toward said plate, said first toggle links thereby-effecting movement of said jaws toward said closed position, said `second toggle -links transmitting force applied in the move-l i ment of-said handles back towardv retractedposition to ka generally circular plate mounting `an upright standard, Vclamping jaws pivoted at theperipheral edge of said plate Vfor movement `between open `and closed positions, Yiirst and second `collar assemblies mounted on saifd standard each including'means for gripping the standardrnormally effective to resist relative movement of the assembly along the standard away from said plate, a pair of handles pivoted on said second `assembly to swing lbetween 'retracted and operated positions, toggle `links interposed vbetween said jaws and said first collar assembly, "other toggle links interposed between said handles and Ysaid tir'st collar assembly, said toggle links and said "rst collar assembly transmitting force applied in movingsaid handles toward operated position to said jaws for moving the same toward closedV position while said ,first collar assembly is moved along said standard Itoward said plate, said toggle links also transmitting force applied in moving said Vhandles back toward retracted position `to said second collar assembly `for moving the'same along said standard into a new position toward said plate, and means fordisablng the gripping means of said first collar assembly in response to attainment by said Ajaws of their fully closed position so that uponV subsequent movement of Vsaid handles toward their retracted position Vboth collar `assemblies can be moved along said standard .away from said plate whereby said jaws are moved into their open positions, and means for resetting the gripping means associated with said first collar assembly iny response to the attainment by said first and second collar assemblies of their initial positions upon said standard, Ywhereby said tool is reconditioned for ksubsequent operation,

, 6. A drumclosing tool for applying a ilanged lid to 'adrumeomprising -in combinatioma plate -adaptedlto seat against lthe outer face ofthe lid, a standard rigid with said plate, clampingjawsfpivoted at Ithe marginal Yedge of said plate formovement from an open position yto a closed posi-tion in which they crimp the lidilange to the drum, a Vfirst collar havingfa tapered bore, a iirst set of toggle links vinterposed Ibetween said vfirst collar and said jaws, a second collar disposed outwardly of said first collar and having -a tapered bore, a-pair of handles pivoted to said second collar to Vswing between retracted and operated positions, a second set of toggle links interposed Vbetweensaid handles and'said iirst collar, a sleeve disposed about saidlstandard and nested within the bore vof said second collar, said sleeve having radially directed circumiferentially spaced openings, a ball 'disposed in each of said openings between the second collar bore wall and said standard, meansnomially biasing said sec- V07nd collar and said sleeve to a position Veiective to Lwedge vsaid balls Yinto gripping engagement with said standard,a second Vsleeve disposedrfabout said standard and nested within the bore of saidfirst collar, `said sec- Vond sleeve having; radially directed crcium-ferentially spaced'openings, a ball disposed in each of said openings yadapted when engaged by the bore wall vto 'be wedged into gripping engagement with said standard, said second 'sleeve l:being :shiftable relative to the'frst collar upon movement of ksaid 'handles ltoward retracted position,

'said toggle Vlinks applying 'force in the movement of said handles :to operated position to said jaws to effect movenment of said jaws toward closed position while said ,first collar is moved along said standard towards said plate, said toggle links also `applying force `llpon Vmove- 4ment of said handles to retracted position vto said second Ycollar for'moving it toward said first collar, and means operative to terminate the wedging of all of the balls against the said standard inresponse to said jaws attaining vfully closed position, thereby releasing said collars so tha-t upon subsequent transmisison of force thereto by said links u pon movement to retracted position of said handles both collars and their associated sleeves are Vmoved away from said plate to restore -the jaws to fully open position.

,References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSV 1,208,458 Benjamins Dec. 12, 1916 1,307,653 Benjamins June 24, 1919 1,605,284 VRollason Nov. 2, 1926 2,643,564 YKlein et al June 30, 1953 2,775,869 Pointer Jan. 1, 1957 2,822,774 Stearns Feb. 11, 1958 V2,850,788 Bentley et al. V Apr. 15, 1958 

